Small Biz Stories: Keep Who You Are at the Core of All You Do

Sarah Eggers: What inspired you to start your business?

Christian Ohonba: As a corporate trainer for the last 5 years, I have learned to make great presentations effortlessly and effective. Later, I found my calling to help business with professional development, to create other employees who can effortlessly make effective work.
CO: Training and development are areas within small to mid-size companies that are haphazardly done or forgotten. I enjoy being able to find out the things an organization is impeccable at already and finding those areas of improvement to catapult their success. In my work, I have the honor being able to create training programs that target those areas, and help groom employees to not only be great in their current roles but prepared to take on larger roles. Because a profitable business must be keenly aware of growth. Many organizations aren’t prepared for this and scramble finding people who are ready to take their work to the next level.

CO: My passion is to create programs that help on all levels of a person’s life. What you learn doesn’t just stay in one area it flows into your entire life. I want to make the world better. I’m still in the preliminary stages of creating my business as I juggle working full time as a software trainer.

SE: What inspires you, and how do you put that into your creations?

CO: Those who have become wildly successful motivates me to go behind what the mental barriers I have created. I use that fuel when I have provided coaching or created training for others to make them greater. I believe in doing well by being the best version of your authentic self.

SE: Tell us about the struggle. What were the 2 most difficult things you had to do in order to launch your business?

CO: Currently, having to juggle between my current job which I travel 90% of the time for and just the normal fear of the unknown are things I deal with. Not being able to dictate when I get to work on my business can be a bit of a hurdle but with anything great I find time even if it’s my lunch break or working late night in my hotel room to create.

SE: What marketing tips and tricks did you pick up along the way to launching your business that you wish other creatives would know?

CO: The one major marketing tip is to provide superior quality service that makes your clients share with the world. I believe when we love something we are the best advertisement for a company. I also believe highly in using your social media to really connect with the needs of your clients or potential clients.

SE: Tell us about where you are now. What have you done already, and what is next on your plate for go?
CO: I have created all of my foundation items to make sure my consulting firm will be able to withstand growth. I have made sure to verify the need for my business and have already started creating a solid portfolio for clients to review before I launch. The next phase will be making sure my website and social presence are solid for my industry. Since there are many creatives in the sphere of social media management, I have to ensure I standout for the businesses that I desire to help.

SE: What advice would you give creative entrepreneurs hoping to one day to be where you are in your business?

CO: Just start where you are. For me I have wanted to start a business since I was right of college yet, I allowed the worst illness of perfectionism to stop me. I firmly believe you can’t improve on what you haven’t’ started.

CO: Also keep who you are at the core of all you do. I know it’s very tempting to try and put on some figurative mantra to sound like someone else. Your clients will choose you based on what you truly represent. I believe there is enough food or clients out there for everyone.

SE: What are two of your products or services that you love that you want to share with me and my readers?

CO: My services that would be helpful for you and your readers would be my custom training courses and one on one coaching services to help promote your workforce. Often time’s companies forgot the bedrock of their success, which is their employees. In my research, I have found those companies that are wildly successful are the ones that re-invest in their employee’s growth. Employees that are engaged to the heartbeat of the company’s growth prosper.